Scholarships and Financial Aid

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)

Federal Student Aid is responsible for managing the student financial assistance programs authorized under Title IV of the Higher Education Act of 1965. These programs provide grants, loans, and work-study funds to students attending college or career school.

We [FAFSA] ensure students and their families can benefit from these programs by informing students and families about the availability of the federal student aid programs and the process for applying for and receiving aid from those programs; developing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSASM) and processing approximately 22 million FAFSA submissions each year; accurately disbursing, reconciling, and accounting for all federal student aid funds that are delivered to students each year through more than 6,200 colleges and career schools; managing the outstanding federal student loan portfolio and securing repayment from federal student loan borrowers; offering free assistance to students, parents, and borrowers throughout the entire financial aid process; and providing oversight and monitoring of all program participants—schools, financial entities, and students— to ensure compliance with the laws, regulations, and policies governing the federal student aid programs.

Not sure where to start when filling out a FASFA application? Check out this interactive guide to completing the FAFSA created by BestColleges.com.

Where to Start Looking for Scholarships

Scholarships are everywhere! It is up to you as students to search them out. Whether you are interested in history, math, computers, choir, dancing, athletics, or cosmetology; you can find what you are looking for. You can start applying today!

Scholarship databases are search engines designed specifically to find scholarships. Most of the sites ask you to fill out a profile, this is completely safe and the reason they ask for it is so they can find scholarships unique for you. However, if for any reason a scholarship has asked you for an application fee, submission fee, or anything similar, IT IS A SCAM! No legitimate scholarship will ever ask for a fee.

The search engines below are some of the most popular and have proven to help many students. But please don’t stop here, do your own research and find others! Always remember if you have a questions about a scholarship talk to a counselor.

Below are examples of scholarship websites. This is not an all-inclusive listing but it will give you a step forward to finding a scholarship(s) that interests you. Acceptance dates for each application may vary. Please research the scholarships you are interested in more in-depth at the noted website(s). You may visit the Career Center at ALA-Queen Creek for additional information on scholarships. In addition, please refer to the counselors’ page for the monthly highlighted scholarships.

Here is a list of other websites to visit while looking for scholarships:

Top Scholarship Databases

FastWeb.com: A searchable database of millions of scholarships worth billions of dollars.

FinAid.org: This award-winning site includes a comprehensive database of scholarships, student financial aid information, advice and tools.

Secrets To Winning a Scholarship: From the publisher of FinAid.org and FastWeb.com, a presentation on how to find and win scholarships. Also visit his website to purchase a copy of his book.

Scholarships.com: Browse through 2.7 million free scholarships and grants worth more than $19 billion.

Scholarships For Hispanic And Latino Students: Thousands of different scholarships are available. Merit-based scholarships are typically given to students with high GPA’s or an extensive record of community service. Other scholarships may be allotted to certain groups of people, including women or minority students. There are also scholarship options for students who demonstrate financial need.

Zinch.com: This site will match you to $1.9 billion in scholarships and financial aid.

College Search Databases

CollegeSurfing.com: Browse by zip code and career interest to find the best possible college for you.

**NEW** Hispanic Heritage Youth Awards for Class of 2017!
The Youth Awards program is presented by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) and its sponsors. Celebrating its 18th year the Youth Awards honors Latino high school students across the nation, we believe the talented Youth Awardees we honor each year are the leaders of today, not tomorrow and their impact will be felt in the classrooms, communities and the workforce. The 2016 online application is available, and will be open to students graduating in the spring/summer of 2017 who maintain an unweighted 3.0 GPA. or higher. Students can apply to various award categories. Award ceremonies are held at local colleges and universities. Recipients will be honored during 10 regional ceremonies with an audience of influential community and business leaders. Recipients will also receive grants ($1,000 – $3,000) for their education or to fund an idea or project to impact their communities. Attendance to the regional ceremony is absolutely mandatory. All recipients are also eligible to be selected as a National recipient. National recipients receive an all-expense paid trip to be recognized at the National Youth Awards ceremony. More information on the National Youth Awards will be posted on our website and be mentioned during all regional ceremonies. Three recipients are selected for each category Gold, Silver and Bronze medallions are awarded in each of the award regions. During the application process you will be asked to select the category that best relates to your future career plans or interest. You will be allowed to enter submissions to more than one category.

Visit the website below, add your GPA, class rank and ACT and/or SAT scores. This estimator will determine the amount of scholarship money that you MAY be eligible to receive. The actual scholarship award will be based upon your official academic credentials after your admission to ASU.

The Obama Scholars Program at ASU is a scholarship/grant program. You must demonstrate a total annual family income of $42,400 or less on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Obama Scholars Program will be closed for the year when program funds have been exhausted. Please refer to the link above.

The University of Arizona Office of Admissions is excited announce new information about their Wildcat Excellence Awards! Wildcat Excellence awards that range from $1,000 to $10,000, renewable for 4 years. Within this range we will offer three guaranteed merit scholarships. This is information listed for the Class of 2016 and is subject to change by notification from The University of Arizona.

This is the University of Arizona’s new Net Price Calculator which is designed to help incoming freshman students and their families estimate scholarship eligibility, costs, and other aid options at the University of Arizona.

The official application period, open to high school seniors, typically begins in late August with a mid-October deadline. Watch the website for the open and due date!

Student should be in the top 5 percent of their class, have a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA, have a 1300 at least on the SAT critical reading and math scores, or 29 on the ACT. Must be outstanding in extracurricular activities and leadership and be a U.S. citizen and at least a two-year Arizona Resident. This scholarship application includes letters of recommendation essays. This scholarship is valued at over $100,000. Must attend either ASU, NAU or U of A.

The AZ Earn to Learn IDA program is a savings strategy and multi-faceted financial education program designed to help provide low to moderate income residents with the opportunity, incentive, and institutional support necessary for them to save for post-secondary education (College). An Individual Development Account, or IDA, is a special matched savings account for people with low incomes. These accounts are designed to help families and individuals of modest means establish a pattern of regular saving and, ultimately, purchase a “productive asset,” in this case post-secondary education.

If you want to further your education or save for your children’s tuition expenses, you must save a total of $500 in your IDA savings account. A “savings match” is a promise to supplement your saving deposits at a specific rate. The AZEL program will offer an 8:1 savings match, meaning that for every dollar you save as part of the program, you will then be eligible to receive another eight dollars. So when you save $500 throughout the course of the program and meet all the other program requirements and partner university conditions and requirements, you will be eligible for $4,000 match. You will then have a total of $4,500 to apply to tuition and other approved college related expenses. This program is available through ASU, U of A, NAU. They will award as many as they have the funds for – which is a lot! DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS – FIRST COME FIRST SERVED! Complete the survey to start the process.

This is the University of Arizona’s new Net Price Calculator which is designed to help incoming freshman students and their families estimate scholarship eligibility, costs, and other aid options at the University of Arizona.

The official application period, open to high school seniors, typically begins in late August with a mid-October deadline. Watch the website for the open and due date!

Student should be in the top 5 percent of their class, have a minimum 3.5 unweighted GPA, have a 1300 at least on the SAT critical reading and math scores, or 29 on the ACT. Must be outstanding in extracurricular activities and leadership and be a U.S. citizen and at least a two-year Arizona Resident. This scholarship application includes letters of recommendation essays. This scholarship is valued at over $100,000. Must attend either ASU, NAU or U of A.

The AZ Earn to Learn IDA program is a savings strategy and multi-faceted financial education program designed to help provide low to moderate income residents with the opportunity, incentive, and institutional support necessary for them to save for post-secondary education (College). An Individual Development Account, or IDA, is a special matched savings account for people with low incomes. These accounts are designed to help families and individuals of modest means establish a pattern of regular saving and, ultimately, purchase a “productive asset,” in this case post-secondary education.

If you want to further your education or save for your children’s tuition expenses, you must save a total of $500 in your IDA savings account. A “savings match” is a promise to supplement your saving deposits at a specific rate. The AZEL program will offer an 8:1 savings match, meaning that for every dollar you save as part of the program, you will then be eligible to receive another eight dollars. So when you save $500 throughout the course of the program and meet all the other program requirements and partner university conditions and requirements, you will be eligible for $4,000 match. You will then have a total of $4,500 to apply to tuition and other approved college related expenses. This program is available through ASU, U of A, NAU. They will award as many as they have the funds for – which is a lot! DON’T MISS OUT ON THIS – FIRST COME FIRST SERVED! Complete the survey to start the process.

Students must have demonstrated exemplary community service. Students must fill out an application online. The principal will have the scholarship committee review all applications and choose up to 4 students. If you become a state honoree you will receive an award of $1,000 and an all-expense paid trip to Washington DC . If you then become a National Honoree you will receive an additional $5,000 award, along with a few other non-monetary items. Apply online at spirit.prudential.com.

You must be a current high school senior, minimum GPA of 3.0 and planning to pursue a degree at any US post-secondary institute. Must be U.S. Citizens; U.S. Nationals; U.S. Permanent Residents; Temporary Residents; Refugees; Asylees; Cuban-Haitian Entrants; or Humanitarian Parolees. Scholarships are awarded based on character, personal merit and commitment. Merit is demonstrated in school, civic and extracurricular activities, academic achievement, and motivation to serve and succeed. Awards vary. Apply online.

Student must demonstrate a commitment to community service and have financial need. Leadership skills and involvement in school and/or work experience also suggested. Student cannot rank in the top 10% of the class; must rank between 11%-40%. Must stay in state for college choice. Minimum $1,000 each. Application due .Essay outlining your community service and two letter of recommendation required.

Senior must have completed 50 hours of documented community service between January 1, 201(6) and December 31, 201(6), be a child or relative of a current member, or be a member of Desert School Federal Credit Union and have a cumulative 3.0 GPA or above (on a 4.0 scale). Student must plan to enroll full-time in an accredited Arizona two or four year college or university. This award is valued between $2500 to $10,000.

Students must have outstanding academic performance, community service, and high moral character. Letter of recommendation needed along with an essay. This is for full or partial tuition scholarship to be used at Washington University in St. Louis. If you would like to be nominated, please see let your counselor know. After the committee at Washington University in St. Louis receives your nomination, they will possibly invite you to apply to the Danforth Scholars Program. Up to 40 applicants will be selected as finalists

AmeriCorps NCCC is a full-time, 10-moth, residential national service program in which young adults – all 18-24 years old – serve nationwide each year. The NCCC program oversees two service tracks – traditional NCCC and FEMA Corps. Members of both tracks of programming serve on teams of eight to twelve and to a series of different projects that address critical needs. Traditional NCCC members work on a variety of different six to eight week-long projects related to natural and other disasters, infrastructure improvement, environmental stewardship and conservation, energy conservation, and urban and rural development. In exchange for their service, members receive $5,775 to help pay for college, or to pay back existing student loans. Other benefits include travel, a small living stipend, room and board, and professional development. Click on the link above for more information.

Minimum Eligibility Criteria: Be of Asian and/or Pacific Islander ethnicity as defined by the U.S. Census. Be a citizen, national, or legal permanent resident of the United States. Be enrolling in a U.S. accredited college or university in the Fall of 201(7). Please read each listing for specific eligibility requirements regarding the academic standing required for each scholarship. Award amount: $2,500 – $5,000.

McDermott Scholars will be afforded an excellent university and cultural education at virtually no cost to the Scholar or the Scholar’s family.

The McDermott Scholars Program provides extensive financial support for each Scholar’s education. The Program covers, year-round for four years, all of each Scholar’s university tuition and fees. In addition, each McDermott Scholar receives a monthly stipend of at least $1400 to cover on-campus housing and other living expenses. Scholars also receive an annual book stipend of $1000. Students must have at least at 1450 SAT – Verbal/Math score or a 33 ACT score. Student must be in the top 5% of their graduating class. Must have leadership, community service and interact easily in social settings with adults and peers and broad interests in the sciences, literature and arts. Check website for deadlines – Early Decision and Regular Decision dates available.

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation reviews each Young Scholars Program application individually with the assistance of a panel of national education experts. Open for high school seniors. Among the criteria used in the selection process are: unweighted 3.5 GPA or above, SAT score of 1200+ (Reading/Math only from OLD SAT) or ACT score of 26+. Must have significant unmet financial need. Will consider families where income is up to $95,000. Most students that receive this scholarship are Pell Grant eligible. Up to $40,000 per year to attend school.

The foundation awards up to 30 scholarships annually to incoming freshmen at the following universities: Arizona State University, Northern Arizona University, and The University of Arizona. The total educational and programmatic value of each scholarship is estimated at $48,000 ($12,000/year). The award is renewable for up to three years, a total of eight semesters of full-time undergraduate study. Scholarships are renewed based on academic standing, participation in program events and activities, and community service projects. Criteria includes: First generation to attend college (neither parent holds a four year degree); Minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA (weighted or unweighted), Minimum combined SAT score of 1040 or composite ACT score of 22 (excluding writing score) Demonstrated financial need. Demonstrated leadership and community service.

Why does education matter to YOU? As a scholarship seeker, you’re probably already well-aware of the importance of an education. But, what about the naysayers? Have you come across someone who’s tried to talk you out of college, saying that it’s not worth it? While continuing your education takes time, and money, there’s a certain value that everyone is hoping to achieve. Our Education Matters Scholarship is giving you the chance to state why education matters. Why does education matter to you? What is the value you hope to receive from college? What would you do to convince the college cynics? Speaking up for education could lead to helping you pay for your own. One applicant will be awarded our $5,000 Education Matters Scholarship.

Embry-Riddle’s Prescott campus has once again been ranked by Affordable Colleges Online in the top one percent of U.S. private colleges whose students earn a $1 million return on their educational investment. More recently, Embry-Riddle’s Prescott Campus was ranked in the top 50 colleges in the nation for quality of education and affordability by valuecolleges.com—it was the only AZ college named in the top 50. Plus, more than 96% of our graduates obtain careers within their discipline within one year after graduation (the national average is 32%).

Our “FACESS” Scholarship for $21,000/year ($84,000 over 4 years) has been renewed and expanded for the Fall 2017 Class. We are now calling it the “FACES” Scholarship, and it is available for the following degrees:

Forensic Accounting and Fraud Examination

Forensic Biology

Applied Meteorology

Aeronautical Science

Computer Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Software Engineering

Space Physics

To qualify, a student must:

Have a 3.5 or higher cumulative GPA

Be accepted to Embry-Riddle as a first-time college student

Be a resident of the State of Arizona

Be pursuing one of the aforementioned degree programs

If an admitted student meets the above criteria, they will be awarded the “FACES” Scholarship automatically—no application is required. In addition to “FACES,” we have several STEM-related scholarships (each up to $5,000/year) that students DO need to actively apply for (deadline is March 15th of senior year):

FIRST Robotics

VEX Robotics

Team America Rocketry Challenge

CyberPatriot

View the applications for these STEM scholarships.. (Note: these STEM Scholarships are “stackable” with Embry-Riddle Merit Scholarships, but not the “FACES” scholarship. If a student is awarded the “FACES” Scholarship, then $21,000 is the maximum in institutional aid that the student will receive).

Aspiring Nurse Scholarship

NursingSchoolsAlmanac.com has just launched its fourth annual Aspiring Nurse Scholarship. Our website will award a $1,000 scholarship to a future nurse in the high school graduating class of 2018.

We will award this scholarship to the applicant who best demonstrates:

- A track record of academic excellence, particularly in science and mathematics

- A passion for the nursing profession and the overall field of healthcare

This scholarship competition is open to all high school seniors who plan to pursue college education in nursing, including LPN / LVN, ADN, and BSN programs. Scholarship applications will be accepted until midnight on August 31, 2018.

Interested students may visit https://www.nursingschoolsalmanac.com and click the banner on the right-hand side of the website's homepage. Here they'll find detailed scholarship information and the official application form.

We welcome you to include information about our scholarship competition on your school's website. Please feel free to spread the word via social media as well.

Your students may also find our website a helpful reference for their college search. We provide the most complete online directory of U.S. nursing schools. I've included below our most popular article on your state, which profiles a comprehensive list of accredited local nursing schools.

At ALA, we combine academic excellence and character development to create an exceptional educational experience. Our students are prepared to not just be the great students of today, but the great leaders of tomorrow.